By: Dr. Jun Escosar

If there’s anything that Ferdie Cabiling is known for, it would be his boundless energy and fiery passion for preaching the gospel, reaching the lost, and raising the next generation of leaders.

When we were starting, Ferdie was a diamond in the rough, but you could see the steady growth and the passion to learn – not out of selfish ambition or to seek a name for himself. He said he was content to be an armor-bearer.

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We would talk and dream about reaching the whole world with the gospel. Just like Abraham, he would count the stars and dream big for the advancement of God’s kingdom. We shared a common passion and forged a friendship hinged on a mission.

He continued to fuel the fire in people to take the lead and evangelize the lost. He audaciously envisioned and preached about campuses, cities, and nations across multiple generations transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Ferdie was a faithful man. Marriage and family even made him a better leader, a better pastor, and a champion for building strong foundations in the home. 

He was a loving husband to Judy, a committed and compassionate father to Elle & Ian, and John Philip, and a tender grandfather to Narra and Laya. His consistency and focus have inspired the next generation, including his daughter, Elle, who reaches and disciples students as a campus missionary.

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He had a no-maintenance mentality and carried even greater fervor than when he began. He did not care about his own convenience. Every opportunity he was given, he charged with audacity and faith. 

During one of our retreats, we came together to affirm his calling as an evangelist. He was more than ready for his next chapter, dreaming again about reaching more souls for Christ.

As brothers, we stood in faith and received fresh fire from this man. 

I pray there will be many more Ferdies to come. 

In his book, he left us with this quote:

Fixing our eyes intently on the risen Jesus Christ frames our perspective. Focusing on His victory empowers us to run with endurance and finish strong.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24).

Ferdie, you finished strong. 

You are a tough and strong leader… you have raised the bar so high and left us with a generation of evangelists to continue this race for all eternity.

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Ferdie Cabiling served as a bishop in the Bishops Council of Victory. He also served as the Chairman of Real LIFE Foundation since 2018. A preacher, evangelist, and ultramarathoner, he is survived by his wife Judy, children Elle & Ian, and John Philip, and grandchildren Narra and Laya.

The public memorial service for Bishop Ferdie Cabiling can be viewed here.

Share with us your favorite memories and tribute messages for Bishop Ferdie on this link.